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Following a selection of blow-outs last season and due to uncertainty over the power output of the sport's new turbocharged units, the Italian manufacturer has admitted to being conservative with its new tyre range.

And Sutil, who ended the opening day of this week's Bahrain test in sixth position, argued that although there is a more consistent feeling with the tyres on longer runs, they are offering much less cornering grip.

"They're more consistent than last year so there's not such a drop off in performance from what I can see at the moment," began Sutil. "All the laps when you do a long run are closer together. But they're really hard.

"Construction is of course stiffer than last year and that's why the tyres are holding on better but, once you spin, the wheels lose a lot of grip and the tyre needs to recover for the whole following straight. It was weird having good grip in the corner and suddenly losing it all. It can feel like a train in the corner; you don't get around it.

"So, there are quite a few things to learn. I think in terms of consistency the tyres are better… but far too hard."

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